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We say, "Fight back!"

Hundreds marched in San Francisco on August 26, 2012

The formation of Women Organized to Resist and Defend (WORD) and its spread as a new nationwide feminist fightback movement has provided a vital voice for women. WORD came together at a crucial time – as the ongoing economic crisis was resulting in budget cuts to social programs and increased right-wing attacks on hard-won rights.

We look back at the history of the women's movement and understand that it has not been benevolent politicians who have handed us our rights – it has been us, our mothers and grandmothers, sisters and allies who have marched and fought tirelessly in the streets to win those rights, refusing to back down until the government had no choice but to give in. We also understand that the struggle for women's rights is indivisible from the struggles of all oppressed and exploited people, and that only by standing together can we all achieve victory. The legacy of those struggles has been a fundamental principle in WORD's activism.

Hear about our work in 2012 from WORD organizers, in their own words:

In Chicago, WORD, along with other groups, counter-protested so-called “pro-life” groups that in fact do not care about the lives of women. Chicago has held strategy and discussion sessions, painted banners and held street meetings to mobilize against women’s oppression. These are just some of the opportunities we have had that led us to meeting many that are endlessly fighting to defend women’s rights.

The history and deep roots of oppression of all kinds is important and that is why we say, “We won’t go back!” As the year comes to an end, we will continue to speak out and demand attention to the issues that affect women. It is through actions and struggle that women have won the rights that we have today.

- Ana, WORD Chicago

I love working with WORD Los Angeles. It’s such a diverse and dedicated group of fierce women activists. We know that in the past, our rights were won through struggle and we honor the legacy of our foremothers by continuing that struggle today. In Los Angeles, we’ve organized important actions, like the August 26 march on National Women’s Equality Day. On that day over 500 people from all walks of life rallied and marched in Hollywood to defend the rights of women against the wave of right-wing attacks. We’ve also organized forums and workshops all over the Southern California area, and we’re excited about building more actions in the new year!

We are committed to building this movement and drawing more and more women into the struggle to defend our rights. Nothing is more crucial at a time when politicians on both sides of the aisle are making deals and decisions that infringe on our most fundamental right to control our own bodies. Some of our organizers are high school students, and some are women who marched in the 1960s and 1970s. All of us are united in our determination to build this movement and win greater equality for all.

- Peta, WORD Los Angeles

New Haven, Conn., is a microcosm of all possible reasons for struggle: it is home to several colleges where students are struggling under the weight of their loans; it is a place of rapid gentrification, with poor and working people being forced out of their homes to make room for expensive housing and businesses; it is ridden with high unemployment, police brutality and racism. Women, particularly single mothers of color, are hit the hardest. From its conception, WORD has worked to organize here and to form alliances with groups that are involved in all the struggles pertinent to women.

– Ina, WORD New Haven

In NYC, WORD took to the streets of Midtown Manhattan for a march and rally on Aug. 26, Women's Equality Day. In September, we co-hosted a women's-themed Hip Hop and Spoken Word Show with the ANSWER Coalition, drawing in artists and activists from the five boroughs of NYC. In Harlem, we hosted a movement and community-building BBQ. And in October, we kicked off the National Week of Action to Defend Women’s Rights with a lively and energetic protest outside of the presidential debate held at Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y. We have big plans for the upcoming year and are looking forward to building the militant women's movement our communities desperately need.

As we look back at our successes in 2012, we also look ahead to the challenges we face in 2013. Across the country, women are standing up and fighting back to defend our rights. WORD will continue to agitate, educate and organize in the days and months ahead.